Mario Ochoa is the co-owner and Chief Strategic Officer for Sammis & Ochoa , a San Antonio-based public relations agency. A lifelong Alamo City resident, Mario specializes in strategic planning, media relations, copywriting and looking at the glass half-full.

Note: This is an mySA.com City Brights Blog. These blogs are not written or edited by mySA or the San Antonio Express-News. The authors are solely responsible for the content.

‘Tis the Season of Giving

Giving back to the community is a huge part of working at MasonPR. Our founder, Lauren Mason, believes strongly in helping others, but like many, she is often overwhelmed by the number of needs that demand attention. She took some time to share her thoughts on the subject. Enjoy! – Mario

‘Tis the Season of Giving, but everyone’s pockets are more than a little bit lighter this year, while the list of worthy causes and those in need around us continues to grow. In a time when many are out of work, our soldiers continue to fight battles around the world and illness and disease strikes without warning or prejudice, how do you choose where or to whom you give the few dollars, or pennies, that you have left?

What’s more, how do businesses choose which causes to support, when to buy a table at a fundraising gala, or when to support a company team in a charity run/walk?

In truth there is generally no rhyme or reason, no full-proof system to donating dollars. Some companies make decisions based on personal relationships, employees who are sick, senior leadership who serve on boards, others based on which causes are going to generate the best PR bang for their buck. In the end, the reason doesn’t really matter, because the benefit is the same.

But the question remains for those who see an onslaught of requests and invitations pouring in with very little reserves to dole out. How do you choose?

Consider that the gift of time is often as valuable as a financial donation and spend some minutes wisely helping those less fortunate. Hours or dollars, minutes or pennies, those truly in need will appreciate both.

Lauren is president of MasonPR, and has more than twelve years of public relations and marketing experience working with international public relations agencies, large corporations, emerging companies and non-profit associations. Lauren founded MasonPR in February 2003 after years of working for some of the largest public relations firms in the world.

Mario Ochoa

3 Responses

i have owned a bakery on the northside for over 20 years. we do not always have money to give to charity, so we often provide baked goods to the shelters around town. provide service or products is also a good way to support.